What Happens When You Close the Gap Between Faith and Work?

Tens of thousands of leaders across the U.S. and around the world have decided they want to integrate their faith and work. They have pushed forward to address the challenging question of “how” to close the gap between faith and work. But why? What is the result of engaging in this journey?

There’s a moment I’ll never forget. We were in a room full of young professionals having a rich discussion about living your faith at work. Then the question came. “I want to close the gap between my faith and work. But, what will happen when I do?”

That is the million-dollar question! And the answer is not simple or easy. But it’s one we must explore. What happens when you close the gap between faith and work?

Consider these five potential results of closing the gap:

Peace – You most likely know this experience – you just feel … peace. At work, peace is a beautiful thing as you yield to God’s control. You are measured in your actions and words. You are more focused on the real purpose for your work. Philippians 4:7 explains it best: Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Wisdom –As you walk with the Lord more deeply, your “intuition” grows. Your ability to see your work more clearly increases. The quality of your decisions improves. Proverbs 2:6 says: For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Relationships – You find yourself caring more deeply for the people you work with. You literally bring agape love to work with you. Now work is not transactional, it’s meaningful. The people you work alongside now have purpose and meaning. Matthew 22:39 helps: A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Attacks – It’s not all roses. As you live your faith at work, expect to be attacked from the greatest of all liars. He will hate seeing you be intentional about your walk with God at work, your improving relationships and the excellence you bring to your work. John 10:10 gives this attack some perspective: The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Flourishing – Last, and possibly most important, is the realization that your life at work is flourishing. What an awesome result! When you are flourishing you are thriving! Ezekiel 17:10 gives you the perfect challenge: Even though it is planted, will it flourish?

David Roth has been the president and CEO of Workmatters since October, 2003. Workmatters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in Northwest Arkansas in 2003 with a mission is to help people pursue God’s purpose for their work. Since then, Workmatters has been used to impact thousands of leaders in Northwest Arkansas and across the U.S. Prior to leading Workmatters, Mr. Roth was vice president, sales and marketing for J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. Before joining J.B. Hunt in 1999, David was the senior vice president of marketing for Manugistics, a supply chain management software provider in Maryland and vice president of marketing for American Software in Atlanta, Ga. He also has nine years of supply chain management experience with McKesson Corporation in San Francisco, Calif. and Harrison, Ark. David has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arkansas. He resides in Fayetteville, Ark. with his wife, Theresa and has two sons, Dylan and Tyler.